Akash Vani

PhD Researcher

Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Hi! I’m Akash, currently a PhD researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA) in Garching, Germany, and a part of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) on Astrophysics at the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in Munich.

My research explores how galaxy characteristics have evolved from the early universe to the present day, covering redshifts from 0 to 10—that’s from about 13 billion years ago to today. My approach integrates cutting-edge observational data with the state-of-the-art semi-analytical models of cosmological galaxy evolution to piece togather how galaxies change over time.

Interests

Formation, dynamics and evolution of galaxies
Dynamics and evolution of the Milky Way using nearby stars
Semi-analytical modelling of galaxies

Education

MSc in Physics, September 2022

Heidelberg University, Germany
BSc in Physics, June 2019

Savitribai Phule Pune University, India

Experience

Research Intern

Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics

November 2022 – July 2023 Garching, Germany

Conducted a detailed analysis of galaxy scaling relations across redshifts 0 to 6 by comparing the semi-analytic L-Galaxies model with observational data, aiming to uncover the model’s strengths and limitations.

Master’s Thesis Student

Heidelberg University

October 2021 – September 2022 Heidelberg, Germany

Developed my master’s thesis on ‘Properties of stellar populations and white dwarfs in a semi-analytic Milky Way disk model’, leveraging Gaia DR3 data. Work affiliated with the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Center for Astronomy of Heidelberg University (ZAH), Heidelberg University.

Project Student

Heidelberg University

June 2021 – July 2022 Heidelberg, Germany

Contributed to the construction and analysis of the 5th Catalogue of Nearby Stars (CNS5, Golovin+23 incl Vani), aiding in the initial evaluation of completeness, luminosity function, local stellar density variations, and the exploration of stellar properties within the catalogue.

Project Student

Heidelberg University

May 2021 – July 2021 Heidelberg, Germany

Conducted an investigation into two M-dwarf binaries from the CNS5, exploring their potential to form a four-body system.

Summer Fellow

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata

June 2019 – July 2019 Kolkata, India

Awarded a fellowship for participation in the Summer School on ‘Quantum Information and Quantum Technology’, gaining in-depth knowledge and practical insights into quantum computing and technology.

Bachelor’s Thesis Student

The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)

June 2018 – January 2019 Pune, India

Completed my bachelor’s thesis on ‘Photometric Calibration of UVIT’, contributing to the calibration process of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope onboard Astrosat, enhancing its data accuracy for astronomical observations.

Key Projects

Debugging Galaxy Evolution with L-GALAXIES

The L-GALAXIES model effectively reproduces local galaxy properties but requires improvements in quenching processes to accurately predict high-redshift galaxy evolution.

The Fifth Catalogue of Nearby Stars

A volume limited sample of all stars within 25pc around the sun.

Properties of stellar populations and white dwarfs in a semi-analytic Milky Way disk model based on Gaia DR3

Master’s thesis

Investigation of two M-dwarf binaries

Exploration of two binary systems with the possibility of forming a quadruple system

Deep Learning in Astronomy

Implementation of a neural network for galaxy morphology classification using TensorFlow.

Quantum Key Distribution- BB84 & E91 Protocol

Implementation of BB84 and E91 QKD protocols on a IBMQ quantum computer

Spectral and timing study of LMXB system 4U 1702-429 using Astrosats X-ray data

Investigation of X-ray emission from the Low Mass X-Ray Binary (LMXB) system 4U-1702-429 using LAXPC.

Introduction to Polarimetry

Literature survey and presentation on the fundamentals of polarimetry, including Jones and Stokes formalism and material interactions, with a practical laboratory component.

CPT synthesis of layered BiOI nanodiscs and its photocatalytic applications

Synthesis and characterization of Bismuth Oxyiodide (BiOI) nanodiscs.

Photometric Calibration of UVIT

Bachelor’s Thesis

Publications

More content should magically appear soon.

Akash Vani, Mohammadreza Ayromlou, Guinevere Kauffmann, Volker Springel (2025). Probing galaxy evolution from z = 0 to z ≃ 10 through galaxy scaling relations in three L-GALAXIES flavours. MNRAS.

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Alex Golovin, Sabine Reffert, Akash Vani, Ulrich Bastian, Stefan Jordan, Andreas Just (2024). Identification of new nearby white dwarfs using Gaia DR3. A&A.

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Alex Golovin, Sabine Reffert, Andreas Just, Stefan Jordan, Akash Vani, Hartmut Jahreiß (2023). The Fifth Catalogue of Nearby Stars (CNS5). A&A.

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